Simcock is Case's modest rock star

By GEORGE AUSTIN

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southcoasttoday.com

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Posted Dec. 26, 2012 at 1:02 PM

Posted Dec. 26, 2012 at 1:02 PM

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By GEORGE AUSTIN

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SWANSEA — Principal Brian McCann remembers traveling to Waltham to see a performance of the Case High School show choir and seeing a student from the school who was singing and dancing in the center of the stage. What surprised Mr. McCann, who takes pride in knowing all of the students at the school, is he did not know the particular student who made such an impression on him. But that was because Daniel Simcock was not wearing the eyeglasses that he usually has on at school. Mr. McCann said that show choir performance made him proud of the school's music program. He said he did not know before that day, that Simcock had such talents.

"That kid was a rock star," Mr. McCann said of how Simcock looked in the show choir performance. "You see him around the halls and he is very unassuming. He is very modest."

Knowing that he is the number one ranked student academically in the Class of 2013 at Case and with such good grades, he said people may say that Simcock must be smart. But, also modest in his classes, he said the student attributes his academic achievement to hard work. For all of that hard work, Simcock was presented with the Superintendent's Award for Academic Excellence at a luncheon held by the South Coast Educational Collaborative last Thursday at the Brown Faculty Club. Acting Swansea School Superintendent Robert Monteiro also attended the luncheon where Simcock received the Francis W. Gallishaw Memorial Scholarship.

"I definitely think to get here, I've had a lot of determination to do all my homework," Simcock said. "It takes a lot out of a person to do all your homework and learn. I'm eager to learn, to make a difference."

Mr. McCann said Simcock takes four Advanced Placement classes. He said the student took first place in the school's science fair earlier on in his high school career and has also participated in mock trial, art competitions and the drama program at Case.

"He studies hard and he has a very determined work ethic," Mr. McCann said.

Mr. McCann said that Simcock plans to study science, and probably biology, at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. He said the student wants to go into the medical profession. Mr. McCann said that he knows that whatever Simcock does in his life, he will be successful at.

"The reason why I enjoy science is because I've had such great teachers, especially this year with Mr. (Robert) Eddy, who teaches biology in such a way that you can't not be motivated," Simcock said.

Simcock said that when he was younger, he had a torn meniscus in his knee and did not know if he was going to lead a normal life. He said a doctor eased his mind about the injury and that is part of what has inspired him to want to want to go into the medical profession. Simcock said he wants to become a pediatrics doctor.

"I want to be someone who can do that for people," Simcock said of what the doctor did for him when he was younger.

In the theater program at Case, Simcock has been involved with productions of "A Christmas Carol," "Cinderella" and "Tower Ghost."

"I think being involved in the arts has helped me by giving me a creative edge," Simcock said. "Acting, painting gives me an edge on other kids, because I can think in a creative way."

Thomas Marcello, director of the Case Theatre Company, said Simcock is "a very gentle soul, yet a strong leader" for the program. He has been an officer for the company for the last two years. Simcock was required to organize the props for a drama competition last year and won an award during the semi-final round. Mr. Marcello said the other students respect Simcock, who started with on-stage roles when he first joined the company, but moved to the back stage.

"He's been a great asset to the theater company in all the times he's been with us," Mr. Marcello said.

Simcock said former history teacher Adam Palmisciano, who is now an interim assistant principal at Case Junior High School, was a big influence on him as an advisor.

"He's just an incredible person," Simcock said of Mr. Palmisciano. "He helped me through high school."

Mr. Monteiro was the principal at Joseph Case Junior High School when Simcock attended that school.

"He was an outstanding student and citizen there, as he has been at the high school," Mr. Monteiro said.